While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

If you're interested in the topic at hand, you should just watch it and judge yourself because the reviews have gone very biased by people that didn't even watch it and just hate (or love) the creator. I liked it, it was well written, narrated, and directed and it was about a topic that interests me.

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

"Achilles" is a British 11-minute animated short film from 1995, so this one is over 20 years old already and it was written and directed by Oscar nominee Barry Purves. Of course, the original work is by Homer. And even if it turned out pretty much the way I expected with a bit more sex and less violence maybe, I would not say that I enjoyed this one here. It was nominated for a BAFTA, but lost out to Nick Park. Maybe those with a deep interest in Greek mythology will maybe enjoy it, but I just couldn't. Maybe statues are too static in my head and seeing them animated is simply not working out. I can only say that neither the animation nor the narration by Derek Jacobi and as a consequence neither plot and story really had me interested in here, so I am kinda happy it was this short as a whole. All in all, I mentioned those earlier who may want to see it, but being an animated (short) films lover alone just isn't enough. I give this one a negative recommendation. Watch something else instead.

a real fascinating show, for tension, for technique, for the science to remind, in new light, an old well known story. Achilles and Patrocles. each of us knows the nature of the friendship who defines theirs relation. but Barry Purves has the art to redefine this link in the most inspired style. fragility. force. fight. angry, pain, revenge, the apotheotic end. the temptation to see it again and again is not small. because the director has the gift to resurrect the Greece who you only imagine in the history class as answer to the words of Homer.and your images from the youth become alive in delicate, splendid manner. so, a film as time trip.

This short movie is neither about mythology nor warriors. It's about love. It's hard to believe it actually made it's way into a presentation here in Brazil, I was really impressed by it back in 98 when I saw it. Came across a copy of it last year and still was amazed.And in it's eleven minutes you can watch a full and rich show of stop-motion technique merged with an excellent art direction which brings you back to the "classic era" with the Greek beauty patterns.The puppets are extremely well sculpted and the movie presents itself like an ancient arena theater, with great light/shadow effects and of course, Greek drama. All of this combined makes Achilles one of the most charming short movies I've ever seen.

I met Barry Purves at an animation festival in Poole, Dorset, England in 1999. He gave a terrific lecture and showed some of his best pieces of work including 'Achilles' which I consider to be his masterpiece in joint place with 'Gilbert & Sullivan - the very models'. 'Achilles' is just an astounding piece of animation which also works as a piece of drama, a love story and a prime example of a master working at his craft. The story centres on Achilles and his relationship with his lover, Petroclus, during the trojan war. The scenes are played out through montage as well as action sequences and tableaus, culminating in the untimely deaths of the two heroes. Never before has an historical homosexual relationship been so delicately portrayed without prejudice or judgement. Considering this is animation, that is a tremendous feat. Astonishing stuff!